Accident Details
On March 21, 2010, at approximately 1435 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, registration N1572L, was substantially damaged during landing at Flying W Airport (N14), Lumberton, New Jersey. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he departed from Red Lion Airport (N73), Vincetown, New Jersey, for N14 to practice landings and obtain fuel. The first landing, a touch-and-go, was normal. On the second approach, the pilot executed a go-around for traffic. On the third approach, the emergency exit window opened, prompting a full-stop landing to close it. During the downwind leg of the next traffic pattern, the cabin door popped open. The pilot reported excessive buffet and a right yaw, and flew the approach at faster than normal airspeed. The landing and rollout appeared normal until about 1,500 feet after touchdown, when the nose landing gear collapsed, followed by the left main and then the right main landing gear.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land, a commercial pilot certificate with helicopter rating, and a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine and instrument airplane. His most recent third-class FAA medical certificate was issued in July 2009. The pilot reported 25,000 total flight hours, with 300 hours in the accident airplane and about 6 hours in the previous 90 days. His most recent flight review occurred on March 27, 2009, in the accident airplane.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, several individuals assisted in recovering the airplane. One volunteer stated that after several unsuccessful attempts, the airplane was partially raised. He entered and manually lowered the landing gear, which deployed and locked, allowing the airplane to be towed off the runway. On March 24, 2010, an FAA inspector examined the airplane on jacks. The landing gear deployed and locked completely in both stowed and down-and-locked positions. The landing gear doors operated completely and in proper sequence. No discrepancies were noted.
During a postaccident interview, the pilot stated it was his habit to retract the wing flaps during the landing rollout. The FAA inspector observed the wing flaps in an intermediate position, with the flap selector in the UP position.
The nearest weather reporting station, about 23 nautical miles west, reported 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 9,500 feet, and wind from 220° at 7 knots gusting to 15 knots.